Planning permission has been granted by Blaby District Council to UK renewable energy developer, Exagen, for a 500MW / 1GWh grid-scale battery energy storage project on land to the northeast of Earl Shilton, Leicestershire. The Normanton Energy Reserve will be one of the largest such projects in Europe and will serve the UK’s National Grid. The Planning Committee’s decision follows months of public consultation on plans for the site, which include new habitats, extensive new woodland and boosting local biodiversity by over 25%.
Once built, the battery facility will be capable of powering 235,000 homes for two hours – the equivalent of 80% of the homes in Leicestershire – making it one of the largest battery storage projects to be granted planning permission in the UK.
At about ten times larger than most battery projects currently providing storage for the grid, the £270 million battery site will be directly connected to the National Grid at a new substation. It will help maintain grid stability in the face of increasing demand for electricity, due to the widespread electrification of transport and heating.
Batteries help manage demand on the network by importing or exporting electricity to the grid at short notice. They reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and enable more low-cost renewable energy sources to be integrated onto the network; addressing fuel poverty and energy security as well as the threat of climate change.
Up to 35GW of storage capacity will be needed in the UK by 2050 to reach net zero targets[1]. The Normanton Energy Reserve project alone equates to 1.4% of this national requirement.
[1] According to National Grid 2023 Future Energy Scenario: Leading the Way.
“For the UK to achieve its 2050 net zero target at the lowest possible cost, there needs to be an increase in electricity storage capacity to balance renewable energy generation. As more renewables are deployed, larger battery projects like Normanton will be required. It is vital that they are developed sensitively and in partnership with the local communities that host them. We’ve been guided by our local stakeholders to achieve consent for a significant infrastructure project that is unobtrusive and balances national need with local benefit. We’ll work now to deliver this project into operation in that same spirit of partnership, and as an active and useful member of the local community.” Jeremy Littman, CEO at Exagen Group
The Normanton Energy Reserve will be essential in helping the UK to transition to net zero, while connecting enough home-grown energy to power our homes and businesses in a safe and sustainable way. The approved plans will see 45% of the 19 acres of land used to improve biodiversity. Normanton Millennium Wood will be extended and there will be new wildflower meadows and land for beekeeping, along with new hedgerows and perimeter tree planting. The project will boost biodiversity habitat units by over 25%, compared to the existing baseline.
Exagen will take ownership of the land, so will have a long-term vested interest in the local community and stewardship of the site. As a priority Exagen will establish a dedicated community fund to spend on improvements in the local area; building on its sponsorship, since June 2023, of the nearby Thurlaston Junior Football Club. The start of construction will see £250,000 made available for local projects and groups and, once operational, £50,000 will be added each year of the project’s operational life of up to 40 years – amounting to c.£4million. This could be applied to supporting local groups, community capital projects or skills and training; depending on local need.
Ahead of the main site construction, some landscaping works and planting will be implemented in advance, and given the chance to establish and grow. This will be followed by pre-construction activity, including service and equipment procurement, with an ambition to partner with local businesses as much as possible.